Weekend in Görlitz

The Renaissance courtyard of the town hall, with an ornate sandstone staircase and a medieval pillory. You can stroll through freely.

Tip: Step inside the ground floor foyer to see the free exhibition on the city's history — it’s small but well done.

A large Gothic hall church with a striking organ loft and a well-preserved interior. Entry to the nave is free.

Tip: Listen for the free organ recitals, usually held on Saturdays at 12:00 — the acoustics are superb.

A massive Gothic hall church with the largest pipe organ in Saxony. The interior is airy and light, with medieval stained-glass fragments in the south windows.

Tip: Go at 2pm on weekdays — the organist often practices then, and you get a free recital. Donate a euro for the information leaflet.

A stunning Baroque library with a painted ceiling and historic book collections. You can walk in and look around the main hall at no charge.

Tip: Go on a weekday morning to have the place nearly to yourself; the light streams in beautifully through the tall windows.

A stunning baroque library in a former Franciscan monastery. Over 150,000 volumes in a two-storey hall with frescoes and original wooden galleries.

Tip: Ask at the desk if you can peek into the closed reading room — the ceiling painting there is even better than the main hall.

A medieval replica of Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built in the 15th century. The complex includes a chapel and a garden area.

Tip: Check the small information board near the entrance for a free guided audio tour you can access via your phone.

A free walking route along the restored medieval city wall, past the Friedensstein monument and the old powder tower. The wall has information plaques in German and English.

Tip: Start at the Friedensstein and follow the wall east — you'll end up at the river promenade with a good view of the Polish bank. Takes 20 minutes.

A small, quiet park between the old town and the Neisse river. Has an art nouveau fountain, benches and a view across the river into Poland.

Tip: Bring binoculars — you can see the Polish watchtowers on the far bank. The park is almost empty mid-morning.

The medieval market squares form Görlitz's core. Cobblestone, Renaissance gables and the 15th-century town hall. No entry fee — just wander.

Tip: Stand on the stone cross in the cobbles at Untermarkt — locals say it marks the old town centre. Best photo is from the steps of the town hall arcade.

A hilltop park with walking trails and an old castle ruin at the summit. Offers wide views over Görlitz and into Poland.

Tip: Pack a picnic and walk up via the north-east path — it's less steep and has benches along the way.